Mycobiota of the disused ore mine of Marcinkw in AenieA1/4nik Masiff (western Poland)

Marcinkw (Lower Silesia, AenieA 1/4 nik Masiff, south-western Poland) has been a well-known mining centre since the mid-15th century. Mineral extraction ended in 1949 with the ores of Pb, Ag, Cu and occasionally Au, U or graphite mined there. The mine is surrounded by metamorphic graphite and mica schist. It is not open to the public and no bats have been recorded living in. The aim of this study was the mycological analysis of the air, the rock surface and the water of the disused ore mine of Marcinkw. Additionally, the chemical composition of rocks and water, and microclimate conditions of the adit were determined. Fungi were identified using a combination of phenotypic and molecular methods. Six taxa of fungi were cultured from the indoor air samples of the adit, whereas the outdoor air samples contained only five taxa. On the other hand, nine taxa were isolated from both the rocky walls and the water. The Aspergillus group was present only on the rocks and in the water, whereas Cladosporium herbarum, Dumontinia tuberosa, Epicoccum nigrum, Hirsutella sp., were found exclusively in the air. The mycobiota found in the ore mine were mostly similar to those recorded in other mines and natural caves. However, it should be noted that the internal microclimate and chemical compounds of the rocks.